15 June 2011

NYS Assembly Passes Marriage Equality in 80-63 Vote

For the fourth time in as many years, the Democratic-led New York Assembly passed a marriage equality bill. The vote for the "Marriage Equality Act" was 80-63.

The bill was submitted Tuesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The lead sponsor was Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, an out gay New York City Democrat. But the key vote in the Senate vote will not happen "until at least Thursday, and more likely Friday"—that is, if the Republican majority calls a vote.

Thirty-two votes are needed in the Senate. Twenty-nine Democrats and two Republicans have publicly committed they to the bill, which means that one more Republican vote is needed to pass.

The marriage vote failed when the Senate took it up for the first time in December 2009. The vote was 38-24, with 8 Democrats joining the entire GOP caucus to oppose the bill. This time, almost the entire Senate Democratic caucus is unified behind marriage equality. The rabidly anti-gay Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. remains the only Senate Democrat who will not support the bill.